abylabLatest release v0.1.24 Changelog ↗
Your ideas. Your terminal. Let’s build.
abylab is a free, open-source, minimalist AI assistant: use it to write code, edit Excel files, write reports, or adjust your computer's settings. A DeepSeek API key is all it takes to get to work.
- Small — one executable, ready to run.
- Familiar — a native terminal UI, file mentions, and themes.
- Yours — MIT licensed: read, modify, and build it yourself.
Quick start
-
Install abylab
Run the line below in your terminal:
curl -fsSL https://abylab.ai/install.sh | bashLinux · macOS · installs to
~/.local/bin/abylab -
Bring your API key
Grab an API key from platform.deepseek.com.
-
Launch and log in
Run
abylabin your terminal, then log in once from the composer:/login sk-xxxxxxxx -
Get to work
Type what you want done, and get to work.
Building from source: cargo build --release. The installer also takes --bin-dir, --version, --no-path, --path-file, and --help.
To ask once without opening the interface: abylab ask "what does this repo do?" runs one turn, prints the answer on stdout and exits.
To uninstall abylab, run abylab --uninstall.
Preferences and credentials
/login takes effect without a restart. The API key is written to ~/.abylab/.credentials.yaml (0600, owner-only). Credentials never come from the environment: abylab does not read DEEPSEEK_API_KEY or any other credential variable, and --api-key <key> is only a one-run override that is never persisted.
Your preferences live in $ABYLAB_HOME/settings.json: interface language (Chinese by default), model, reasoning effort, permission preset, and appearance (mode + palette). Flags override them for that run only.
Stay in your flow
| Key | Action |
|---|---|
| enter | Send / queue |
| ctrl+enter | Steer |
| esc twice | Interrupt / clear draft |
| ctrl+c | Clear / quit |
| ctrl+q | Quit (press again to confirm) |
| ↑ | Prompt history |
| ctrl+z | Undo |
| / | Commands |
| @ | File mention |
| ctrl+p | Switch model |
| ctrl+t | Switch theme |
| alt+↑ (mac ⌥↑) | Edit queued prompt |
| shift+tab | Switch permission preset |
The full key map lives in /keys; command help is in /help.
Queued prompts and interactive questions
alt+↑ opens the list only when prompts are waiting and the draft is empty: ↑/↓ select · enter edit · ctrl+enter steer that one into the running turn · ctrl+d delete it (twice on the same row).
During a task, abylab can pause to ask a question. Choose Yes/No, one or several options, or type a custom answer. Use ↑/↓ to move, space to toggle multiple choices, enter to answer, and esc to cancel the question.
Everyday commands
/new | Start a new session |
/resume [id] | Pick up where you left off |
/model [id] | Choose your model |
/theme | Make yourself at home |
All commands
Sessions & tasks
/new /resume [id] /delete /compact /goal /clear
Model & permissions
/model [id] /effort [off|low|high|max] /permission [preset]
Input & appearance
/vim [on|off] /image <path|@path> [text] /clip [text] /theme [dark|light|pack] /lang [zh|en]
Help & extensions
/help /keys /status /skill <name> [args] /quit
License and credits
MIT License · © 2025 [email protected]
Built with reference to DeepSeek Harness and pi.dev.